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Brown among Phillies scuffling offensively

5/10/14: Domonic Brown bloops an RBI single just beyond the reach of a diving Juan Lagares in center field, scoring Jimmy Rollins

By Todd Zolecki and Austin Laymance
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MLB.com |

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies entered Wednesday's series finale against the Angels tied for sixth in the National League with a .315 on-base percentage.

But the baserunners have not translated into runs. They ranked 12th in runs, 10th in slugging percentage and 14th in home runs.

That is a problem, one reason the Phils began Wednesday 17-20 and last in the NL East.

"We're getting guys on, we just haven't gotten the big hits," Philadelphia hitting coach Steve Henderson said. "Have we hit the ball hard? Yes, we have hit the ball hard. But compared to what we did last year, we're starting to click. We've got some guys that are healthier."

Domonic Brown's production in left field has been a concern. He has just one home run since Aug. 14. He has a .593 OPS this season, which is lower than Ben Revere's .598 OPS. Revere has never hit a home run in his big league career.

More power from Brown would help the lineup.

"Pitchers are making adjustments on him," Henderson said. "They're pitching him away and he's hitting it away. [Tuesday] night, he just missed two balls. I think he's found something in his load. He's feeling much better now.

"But he's got to adjust to them, too. He's doing it. He's starting to hit the ball the other way. The power part will come once he shows them he can go there. Then they'll start pitching him the way he wants them to pitch him."

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. Austin Laymance is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jalaymance. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.